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Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau

The state Senate gave final concurrence this morning to a bill that will provide $20.9 million for emergency dredging in 49 harbors and bays.

The bill, which also provides $23 million for 76 projects paid for with the Natural Resources Trust Fund, was first proposed by Gov. Rick Snyder to deal with record low lake levels in Lakes Huron and Michigan.

The state’s general fund will provide $11.5 million for the dredging, with the remainder coming from the Michigan Waterways Commission Trust Fund.

The bill now moves to Snyder for his signature. It was put on a fast track in February so dredging contracts can begin before the boating season starts in May.

The bill was almost derailed because the House inserted language that would provide $250,000 for a study on sentencing guidelines.

Sen. John Pappageorge, R-Troy, called the addition “Political blackmail,” to slip something like that into the bill, which ultimately passed on a 30-5 vote.